Opportunity Cost or Lost
Opportunity Cost or Lost is a fast-paced decision-making game where you act as a strategic advisor to an Indigenous Nation undertaking a development project.
Your goal: maximize benefits, minimize delays, and secure your community’s future — before time runs out.
Every decision requires time and money – How much will you save?
About This Game
Opportunity Cost or Lost puts you in the role of a strategic advisor to the Teyakan First Nation as they navigate the complex process of completing a development project of your choosing.
Through several critical decisions, you must balance governance, economic opportunity, environmental protection, and community priorities. Every choice impacts investor confidence, project timelines, and the Nation’s long-term benefits, while time pressure simulates the real-world costs of indecision.
The game is intended to challenge players to think strategically, act quickly, and understand the economic principle of opportunity cost. Delays, inefficiency, and poor governance erode opportunities, timely and efficient action protects and maximizes value.
Choose The Scenario You Want
This is just the beginning... Our team is actively working on expanding the game with new scenarios that reflect the diverse economic challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous communities across different regions.
PerryBear Copper-Gold Project
The Teyakan First Nation, a remote Indigenous community in the boreal forests of Northern Ontario. For generations, the Teyakan people have relied on the land for food, culture and identity, through hunting, fishing, and spiritual connection. Now, that way of life is at risk. A large mining company, NorthPoint Resources Inc., has proposed the PerryBear Copper-Gold Project, an open-pit mine that is located on Teyakan’s reserve lands. The project has the potential to provide many fiscal and economic benefits which is a priority to the First Nation but could also impact the land.
Wawenash Community Expansion
The Teyakan First Nation is preparing to launch an ambitious land development project on an urban reserve. The Wawenash Community Expansion plan includes a mix of residential, commercial and public infrastructure development designed to support long-term community growth and economic opportunity. With preliminary surveys complete and demand growing, it is expected this development could generate over $800 million in cumulative GDP over the next 25 years – an economic windfall that could transform the First Nation and surrounding communities. Players will step into the role of a strategic advisor navigating various interests and balancing community priorities, development ambitions, and environmental considerations.
Facilitate Meaningful Competition with Session Hosting
Enhance the learning experience with our Host Session feature designed for educators, facilitators, and learners who want to bring economics to life through structured, competitive play. Create a session where players engage with real-world economic concepts, make decisions under pressure, and learn from the outcomes in a dynamic, interactive environment. Whether in classrooms or workshops, hosting a session offers a collaborative way to explore strategy, critical thinking, and economic principles in action.
Create Your Session